Addressing the media after his ceremonial welcome, Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Rashtrapati Bhawan said that today we want to be sure that this relation is maintained and improved for the sake of both countries. With the leadership of the President and PM Modi, I am sure we can create good things for Saudi Arabia & India.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol to personally receive Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Salman is on his first state visit to India.
A day after his visit to Pakistan, Prince Mohammed came to India. He was received by PM Modi with a warm hug. The Crown Prince had flown back to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan before coming to India.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the first state visit of the Crown Prince marks a new chapter in bilateral relations.
"A new chapter in bilateral relations Breaking protocol, PM Narendra Modi personally receives HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia as he arrives on his first bilateral visit to India!," he said in a tweet.
During the two-day visit, India and Saudi Arabia are expected to announce a ministerial-level 'Strategic Partnership Council' with the issue of terrorism expected to figure in a major way during the talks in the aftermath of Pulwama terror attack.
He is accompanied by a high-level official delegation as well as a large business delegation.
(With IANS inputs)